CDP brings a new railway network to Afghanistan

A € 65 million financial agreement was signed with the Afghan Ministry of Finance to help build the rail corridor between Iran and Afghanistan

Rome April 5, 2019

CDP confirms its commitment to international cooperation, with a new initiative to support infrastructure development in Afghanistan through projects promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

A financial agreement of 65 million euros was signed with the Afghan Ministry of Finance, to support the construction ofthe rail corridor between Iran and Afghanistan, with potential to be extended south, towards Pakistan and north, towards Turkmenistan. The initiative will enable the construction of a 44km segment to link the western suburbs of Herat and its airport. This contributes to a wider project of improving the country’s transport network, which is essential for access to some isolated areas in the region. The recently signed financial agreement confirms CDPs increasing focus on sustainable development at a global level.

This commitment is highlighted in the new Business Plan, which includes a strategic commitment in the area of sustainability, with the aim of contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda’s 17 SDGs: the initiative supported in Afghanistan meets objectives 9 “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure" and 8 "Decent work and economic growth" and confirms the commitment of the Italian cooperation framework in this area.

The Italian institutions active in this framework have also been involved in building connecting routes and modern infrastructure projects, vital in supporting the country’s social and economic growth. CDP is one of the most active players, having contributed to the development of the section of road between Herat and Chist-e-Sharif, in the Western Afghanistan.